Zhu Yunxi was still sitting on the Arhat's bed next to the window. It was noon, the winter sunshine was shining, and the tofu-lattice window lattice was reflected on the Arhat's small Kang table.
The window shadows are also mixed with exquisite window screen patterns.
It is winter at this time, and the patterns of flowers, plants and insects are vividly displayed on the window screens made by skilled craftsmen from the south of the Yangtze River. It is the time when the sun is at its strongest, and the hall is as warm as spring, which actually makes people feel like the sound of insects is coming through the green screens. screen.
The window screen in the grid is only as thick as A4 paper, but it is made of six layers of gauze that are beaten together repeatedly, making the window screen both light-transmitting and warm, with a bit of poetry.
An old orange cat lay lazily in a corner of the Arhat's bed, and the reflection of the patterned window screen hit its sleeping face and turned-up belly.
Suddenly its ears moved, as if this posture was a little uncomfortable, and then it simply stretched out its whole body, like a big character.
Zhu Yunxi is the owner of Qianqing Palace, but this cat has lived here longer than him.
The hall was quiet, except for the sound of Zhu Yunxi flipping through the papers of the memorial, there was no sound.
Until Wang Bashi came in from outside with several ministers, breaking the tranquility.
All the ministers who came were involved in the trial of King Zhou's case. From left to right were Zhang Yan, Bao Zhao, He Guangyi, Xin Yande, Li Jinglong and the consort who lowered his head as if he was a little uncomfortable and did not seem to have adapted to his new status. Hu Guan.
The old orange cat opened his eyes dissatisfied, and saw that a group of people suddenly appeared in front of him. Then he sat up and licked his belly fiercely, then glanced sideways at these people, stretched out and jumped off the Arhat bed, and then Get into the corner under the bed.
Zhu Yunxi put down the memorial and looked at several ministers.
Zhang Meng had his eyes downcast and showed no expression, Li Jinglong and He Guangyi were a little scared, Hu Guan was cautious. Bao Zhao and Xin Yande looked indignant and full of anger.
"The shameless bastard said that you guys were in a hurry to see me, so why didn't you say anything when you came in!" Zhu Yunxi's voice was a little hoarse. He didn't know if it was because the Earth Dragon had been too hot these days, which made him a little angry, so that he had a scar on his chin. Got two pimples.
"Does your Majesty know that the key figure in King Zhou's case, King Zhou's nanny, died in the Zhenfu Division?" Bao Zhao spoke first.
Zhu Yunxi's expression remained unchanged, but he quickly glanced at Li Jinglong.
The latter noticed that the fear on his face was even worse and he was restless.
He had discussed with He Guangyi to get rid of the person, but in the end it was Zhu Yunxi who had to face the consequences of the ministers and officials.
"Yeah!" Zhu Yunxi nodded, "I heard from Cao Guogong that he died because he couldn't bear the torture!"
Suddenly, Bao Zhao and Xin Yande glared at Li Jinglong, while He Guangyi, who was next to him, silently distanced himself half a step away from Li Jinglong.
"It's true that he couldn't survive it and died in prison!" Li Jinglong said, "Commander He also knows about this matter. I am the co-organizing minister, so I naturally know the seriousness of the matter, and I also asked the police officer from the Ministry of Punishment to take a look at it!"
"Damn you!" He Guangyi heard this and cursed in his heart, "Didn't you say you would take care of it if something happened? Why did you take me along with you?"
Xin Yande immediately said loudly, "I impeach Duke Cao Li Jinglong, and the commander of the Jinyi Guards, He Guangyi, neglected his duty." As he said that, he glanced at the two of them, "How could the key person in charge of such a big case die in the Zhenfu Division? It is simply unheard of. !”
"I am guilty, please punish me!" Li Jinglong and He Guangyi immediately bowed down.
"The case of King Zhou involves collusion between officials and businessmen, which are connected in series. The large number of officials involved and the large amount of money are really rare, and with the trial, new cases are unearthed every day, and each of them is an insult to the state!" Xin Yande continued
He said loudly, "At this time, the most important criminal died inexplicably. I suspect that someone has ulterior motives and wants to cover up the truth!"
"Without this important person in charge, many things cannot be finally concluded, and there is no direct evidence for many things. Is it possible that I want you to go to Fengyang to interrogate the King of Zhou?"
"Hey!" Zhu Yunxi sighed heavily in his heart, glanced at Li Jinglong again, and said to himself, "You are so smart that you are mistaken for being smart. You think you are smart, but you are causing trouble for me."
As if he could hear Zhu Yunxi's inner voice, Li Jinglong kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty, your two lords are right. I must bear the blame for my negligence. Please punish me, Your Majesty!"
"I am also guilty, please forgive me!" He Guangyi also kowtowed.
~~
"I will certainly not forgive your mistakes lightly."
Zhu Yunxi thought for a moment and said, "But now is not the time. I ask you, has King Zhou's case been settled?"
"Going back to the emperor, everything is going smoothly!" Li Jinglong said hurriedly, "The number of officials involved and the amount of money involved have been identified. Those who should be arrested have been arrested, but some are still on their way to Beijing!"
"Now that it's settled! It doesn't harm the overall situation if one person commits the crime!" Zhu Yunxi thought about it and said, "I will hand over the case to you. How to decide next? You can make up your mind and report it to me..."
It is disrespectful for a minister to interrupt the emperor.
But Zhu Yunxi was not angry, but smiled and said, "You have something to say?"
"I would like to ask the Emperor!" Xin Yande stood up and bowed, "In this case, does the Emperor want to target Zhou Fan, or is it really for the sake of the government of the world?"
In an instant, everyone looked at him with horror.
He...is he desperate for his life? He dares to talk to the emperor like this.
"If it is just for the Zhou vassal, or to restrain the vassal king, I think there is no need to investigate this case anymore. Because no matter the charges, the people involved, or the ins and outs of each case, they are all there to be cleared.
Clearly!"
Xin Yande was not afraid of Zhu Yunxi's faintly admonishing gaze, and continued loudly, "But if you are the official of the world, I think you can't let the thunder be loud and the rain be small!"
Zhu Yunxi suddenly felt a headache, "Are you questioning me?"
"I don't dare, I'm just telling the truth!" Xin Yande continued, "I am opposed to the emperor opening prisons and using harsh punishments to deal with officials, but I also believe that since they are guilty, they should be sentenced severely!"
"The case involving King Zhou was far more involved than the people recorded in the files, and it was far from what the criminals said. I have repeatedly advised the emperor not to kill indiscriminately, but I also know that since the officialdom of the Ming Dynasty is corrupt, it must not be stopped in moderation.
.”
Bao Zhao also immediately said loudly, "I second the proposal." He then looked at Li Jinglong and He Guangyi, "Let's just say that the son of Zheng Guogong's family was involved in privately selling military horses. That is not a simple case of corruption."
"Since I became an official, I have served as an official in the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Punishment. I know very well that there are no single cases in this world. Because individual cases are often not found, and only repeated crimes will be exposed."
"Since the Emperor has said that we should control the corrupt official system, we must not avoid the important ones and choose the light ones. Otherwise, the empire will never be able to eradicate the troubles!"
"Shut up!" Zhang Yan scolded, "Two of you, have you forgotten the courtesy of courtiers before the king? Is this how you face your father?"
After saying that, he hurriedly said to Zhu Yunxi, "Your Majesty, they are both pedantic and upright, but they also have a heart for fists..."
"I know!" Zhu Yunxi waved his hand and said.
Suddenly, Li Jinglong saw that the moment the emperor lowered his head and raised his head, there were deep Sichuan lines between his eyebrows.
The sun fell on the emperor's body, and his expression was vaguely tired.
"My difficulties..." Zhu Yunxi said slowly, "Maybe you can understand it in the future!"